Influence of Teacher Training on Academic Achievement of Kiswahili Language in Public Secondary Schools in Kathonzweni Subcounty, Makueni County.

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to establish the influence of teacher training on students’ academic achievement in Kiswahili language. Though studies have been done on teacher training and academic achievement in other subjects, no known research has been done on Kiswahili language. This study was guided by Teacher Efficacy theory which connects teacher training and academic achievement. The study was done in Kathonzweni sub county Kenya, the target population was 39 principals who were sampled purposively. 60 Kiswahili teachers in 39 public secondary schools were sampled through simple random sampling. The objective of the study was to determine the influence of teacher training on students’ academic achievement in Kathonzweni Sub County, Makueni County, Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design. Questionnaires for principals and teachers were used to collect data. The quantitative data collected was analyzed using Statistical Package of Social Sciences (SPSS).The study showed the pre-service training and in –service training was very paramount in informing the teacher of the emerging trends in the subject hence improved performance. It also showed that trained teachers were able to deliver classroom instruction better than the untrained teachers, hence trained teachers posted good performance in Kiswahili language. The administration support for teacher development programs through facilitation was evident. The findings in this study will be useful in advising the Ministry of Education (MOE) on the need to have teacher trainees in the teaching colleges and universities be thoroughly grounded in their preparation for classroom instruction. It will also advise on establishment of Teacher Capacity Building Centers to offer refresher courses for in service Kiswahili language. It will help in future researches on teacher training and academic achievement in other levels or subjects.